Spark plug cleaning apparatus



p 9, 1952 R. K. CHRISTIE 2,609,827

' SPARK PLUG CLEANING APPARATUS Filed July 30, 194v 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 BY Q QQMUA.

Qdfiay Sept. 9, 1952 R. K. CHRISTIE SPARK PLUG CLEANING APPARATUS Filed July so, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR- fioberf A. (fir/($2919 BY Y p 9, 1952 R. K. cums-r15 2,609,827

SPARK PLUG CLEANING APPARATUS Filed July so, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 AIR SUPPLY FIE-.7. 11 15.53.

IN VEN TOR. Eoeri K cfir/lsfl'e BY @Jw 2 @Jw QZZW Patented Sept. 9, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SPARK PLUG CLEANING APPARATUS Robert K. Christie, Toledo, Ohio, assignor to Champion Spark Plug Company, Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application July 30, 1947, Serial No. 764,860

9 Claims. 1

This invention relates primarily to spark plug cleaning means of the type in which a chemical solution, preferably containing an abrasive material, is discharged in spray form against the electrodes and surfaces at the firing end of a spark plug which become coated with fuel deposits in service.

An object of the invention is the provision of a novel apparatus of this class that is operable in a simple and rapid manner to efficiently and economically clean spark plugs of carbon and other deposits accumulated on and within the firing end portions thereof in use.

Another object of the invention is the provision in an apparatus of this class of simple and efiicient means for rotating a spark plug about its longitudinal axis during cleaning, whereby all surfaces that are subject to being coated in use are eiiectively cleaned by the spraying action.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, and from the accompanying drawings illustrating one embodiment thereof, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of an apparatus with a spark plug mounted in cleaning position and with the turning head for the plug in raised or inoperative position; Fig. 2 is a similar fragmentary view thereof with the turning head in lowered or operative position; Fig. 3 is a different fragmentary perspective view of the apparatus with the turning head raised and the operator in the act of placing a spark plug in position for cleaning; Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary central vertical section of the apparatus on the line 4--4 in Fig. 2 with the turning head lowered into operative turning engagement with a spark plug to be cleaned and with parts in full; Fig. 5 is an enlarged bottom perspective view of the cover plate assembly; Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional detail similar to a portion of Fig. 4 showing the spraying means; Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the spray head cover with associated nozzles, and Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8-8 in Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings, I designates a table or othersuitable support having a top 2 provided with a rather large opening 3 (Fig. 4) therethrough. This opening is closed by a removable base plate 4 that overlaps the top marginal edge of the opening 3 and is secured r thereto by screws 5. The plate 4 has an opening 6 therethrough closed by a top or cover plate I which is centered within the opening by an interfitting flange 8' and is clamped to the top marginal edge of the plate 4 by a series of bolts 9.

A bushing I0 is fitted into a receiving opening in the plate I and is adapted to rotatably receive the threaded shell end of a spark plug A. The upper end of this bushing is cupped to permit the spark plug shell to seat down therein and its side edge is flanged over the marginal edge of the plate opening. The firing end of the plug is exposed below the bushing.

Suspended below the bushing I0, in centered relation thereto by a plurality of lugs l I dependent from the bottom of the plate 7, is a spray head unit I2. This unit comprises, in the present instance, a ring I3 attached to the lugs II by a plurality of screws I4, a base member I5 fixedly secured in the ring and suspended therefrom with its top recessed to form a chamber I6 and a cover plate I] that closes the top of said chamber and carries a plurality of liquid spray nozzles I8 directed toward the adjacent end of a spark plug mounted in the bushing I 9. These nozzles open at their inner ends to the chamber I6. In the present instance, four noz-v zles I8 are provided preferably of varying heights with different sized orifices, one nozzle being at the center of the group and positioned to direct its spray straight up into the spark plug end in slightly offset relation to its axis, and the others being arranged around the center nozzle and inwardly and upwardly inclined to direct their rc spective streams at diiierent angles into the plug end. An air nozzle I9 projects upward from the bottom of the chamber I6 is fixed axial relation to each nozzle I8 in spaced relation to its bore, so as to have its discharge therein and to providea suction space therebetween, as is common with suction type nozzles. In the present instance, the upper end of each air nozzle I9 is of less diameter than the bore of the associated nozzle I8 and projects to a slight extent therein witha suction space therebetween.

The several air nozzles I9 are in com1nunication with a suitable air pressure source through bores 20 and branches therefrom provided in the base member I5 and through a connection 2i. A normally closed control valve 22 is interposed in the connection 2| and has an operating stem 23 projecting up through the valve casing and a short distance above the level of the plate I to be operated, as hereinafter described. The connection 2| is carried by the top plate "i and has a part on top of such plate, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, to which a tube or flexible hose 24 from a supply source may connect.

The'suction chamber I6 is in communication with a container 28 for a cleaning solution through a tube 29 which extends from the bottom of the chamber down into the container to near it in the sleeve.

3 its bottom, as shown in Fig. i. This container comprises an open top tank that is attached at its upper end to and is suspended from the lower marginal edge of the base plate opening 6 by a ring 30 and screws 3!. The bolts 9 also may be used for this purpose. A vent pipe 32 extends from the top portion of the container and connects through an opening in the rear end portion of the baseplate 4 with a stack 33 rising therefrom, the lower end of the stack being mounted in a standard 34 on said plate.

The contents of the container 28 are agitated by a paddle 35 having connectionwith a shaft 36, whereby a wobble action is imparted thereto by a rotation of the shaft. This shaft is mounted in a bearing attached to the side portion of the container and is driven by a motoniil (Fig. 1) through a suitable connection.

The drive head it for imparting rotation to a spark plug, when mounted in cleaning position in the. bushing It, is carried in upright position by,

twopairs of, parallel bars ii one pair at each side,

with the rearen ds or both pairs pivoted in ver-.

for rotary and axialmover entsin the bearing,

the axial movements being limited by a screw pin it engaging in an annular,circumferential groove The sleeve is yieldingly held in'lovvered position relative to the part 42 by a coiled compression spring 25, which hasits upper end thrust against astationarypart of thehead and itslower end thrust against adrive part ii in driving engagement with ,the upper end of the sleeve.

Inthe upperportion ofthe head {til is mounted a small slow speed electric motor ifiwhich may he connected to any suitablev electrical source and has drivingconnection at 69, with a vertical shaft Silwhich has .splined driving engagement with the part 57.

The lower end of the, sleeve this. internally, of hex iorm complemental to the customary hex shell portion'ofa, spark, plug A and fits down thereover when the. head this in lowered or operative position, as shownin Fig. 4 so that a turning of the sleeve will cause a, turningof the spark, plug on its seatinthe bushing iii. The head M3 is retained in lowered position by a hand operated latch 5.} that is pivoted to the front side of the head and engagesastationary catch member 52, on the plate, 7. Aspring 53, acts on the latchlfii to cause it, to ihave snap engagement with the catch 52when the-headis in lowered position.

The headiilis causedto be drawnupward, or

at least is cpunterbalancedasto its Weight by The raising movement of the head it is limited by a cross piec 6.6 that iscarried by the lower 4.. set of bars H striking a stop cushion 6| provided on a rod 62. This rod is hinged to and extends upwardly from the top plate I, as shown in Fig. 4. In an operation of the apparatus, a suitable cleaning liquid is placed in the container 2% and a spark plug A to be cleaned is mounted in the bushing it. The head so is then lowered to cause the clutch sleeve iito extenddown over the. upper end portion of the plug and to have turning engagement at its lower end with the hex portion of the plug. The head is held in this position by engagement of the latch 5| with the catch 52. The final lowering movement of thehead causes the bracket 5? thereon to engageand-depress th valve stem 23, thus causing anopeningoif the air valve to effect a discharge of ai r through the air nozzles i9 and into and through the nozzles I8. The suction thus created-causes the cleaning liquid to be drawn The urnin i. he l s urin hi ra in {@5103 uses i l a in Spray a s, di e ted into all portions of the hollow firing end of the plug and against theelectrodesso as to effect a ho o g nd, a d me ning hereo h cleaning having been completed, the latch 5| is disconnected from its catch and the turning head-iii; is raised; to expose the spark plug to; permit its removal iromthebushin Iii and the insertion therein of anotherplug to'loe cleaned. After a cleaning operation, the: plugfrnay be, Washed of the cleaning liguid in any suitable manner. The clutch sleeve t3 hasv a yielding axial movement to adapt it to accominodatefit self to the position of theplug andito cause a cushioned engaging action of the sleeve and plug. The speed of the motor and the driving connection between it and the clutch sleeve are such as to cause a slow turning of ia s parkplug, during a cleaning action. V V

The apparatus is SiZHPIQtQ clean, as the container 28- is readily accessible for the purpose of fillingor cleaning bysimply removing the top plate 7 and disconnected assembly, thus exposing not only the interior of the container but also the spraying parts. y A

I wish it understood that my invention is not limited to any specific construction, arrange-, ment or form of the parts, as it is capable of numerous modifications and changes without dc parting from the spirit of the claims I Havingthus described my invention, what I claimas; new, and desire to sweaty finited States Letters Patent, is;

In a spark plug cleaning apparatus, a spark plug support, means for rotating e'supported sparlr plug about its longitudinalaxis and in eluding a driven clutch sleeve movable intof and out of driving engagement with a supporte d spark plug, means for directing a cleaningsolution against the firing end of the plug while being rotated, and means operable tocau se the last-mentioned means to operate wheir the driven clutch sleeve is movediinto driving en gagenlent with a supported sparkplug. v

2. In a spark plug cleaningapparatus, a spark" plug support, a cluteh member for engaging a supported plug, means. carrying said-member for movement into and out of driving, engagement with a supportedspark plug, means fordriving said member. to rotate an engaged spark plug.

spray means for directing a cleaning solution.

against the firing end of a plug when rotated, and control means for the spray means actuated by said carrying means, at a predetermined point in its movement, to eflect a spraying operation.

3. In a spark plug cleaning apparatus, a support having an opening therein, a plate for closingsaid opening, a spark plug support carried by the plate and permitting rotation of asupported plug with both ends exposed, means carried by the plate for directing a plurality of streams of cleaning solution against the firing end of the plug, means for containing a solution to be sprayed, means movable into and out of position to engage the opposite end of a supported plug and to impart rotation thereto, and means automatically operable to render the spraying means operative when said last-mentioned means is in a predetermined position of its movement.

4. In a spark plug cleaning apparatus, means for supporting a spark plug for rotation about its longitudinal axis with its firing end exposed, a hollow head adapted to seat around the upper portion of a spark plug supported by said means and vertically movable into and out of enclosing relation to the plug, means guiding said head for swinging movements in a vertical plane and operable during said movements to maintain its vertical axis parallel to the axis of a supported plug, a clutch sleeve rotatably mounted in said head for engaging and rotatably driving a spark plug on said support when said head is in lowered position, means carried by the head for rotating said sleeve, and means for directing a cleaning solution forcibly against the exposed plug end when in a vertical plane into and out of operative relation to the projected end of a supported plug, a rotatable clutch sleeve mounted in said head for receiving the projected end of a plug and to have driving engagement therewith when the head is in operative position, means operable to rotate said sleeve, and means for directing a cleaning solution forcibly against the exposed plug end when rotated.

6. A combination as called for in claim 5, wherein the clutch sleeve is mounted for yielding axial movements in the head to adapt itself to the position of a spark plug and the axes of the head and sleeve are maintained in vertical position during their arcuate movements.

7. A combination as called for in claim 5 together with means yieldingly influencing movement of the head to inoperative position, and releasable catch means for holding the head in operative position.

8. In a spark plug cleaning apparatus, a spark plug support, a female clutch member for engaging a supported plug, a carrying head for said member operable to move it arcuately in a vertical plane into and out of driving engagement with a supported spark plug, means carried by said head for driving said member to rotate an engaged spark plug, and spray means for directing a cleaning solution against the firing end of a plug when rotated.

9. A combination as called for in claim 8, wherein the clutch member has yielding engagement with the spark plug axially thereof.

ROBERT K. CHRISTIE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Udell Feb. 10, 1948 

